edema

noun

ede·​ma i-ˈdē-mə 

1

: an abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity

called also dropsy

2

a

: watery swelling of plant organs or parts

b

: any of various plant diseases characterized by such swellings

Examples of edema in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Circulatory Problems One of the most common foot and ankle symptoms in older people is edema, the medical term for the swelling of tissues. —Catherine Moyer, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025

Officials told Outside that the Czech climber was diagnosed with severe pulmonary edema and needed to be taken to lower elevation. —Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 14 May 2025

Acute heart failure with pulmonary edema, when the heart suddenly can’t pump well enough and fluid backs up into the lungs. —Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

However, there was no neurologist on site to confirm whether the mass was a tumor, cyst, edema or clot. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 5 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek oidēma swelling, from oidein to swell; akin to Armenian aytnu- swell, Old English ātor poison

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for edema

• extrema
• ulema
• cima
• pima
• prima
• rima
• schema
• sema
• sima
• thema
• emphysema
• empyema

Kids Definition

edema

noun

ede·​ma i-ˈdē-mə 

: an abnormal collection of watery fluid in a bodily tissue or cavity

Medical Definition

edema

noun

ede·​ma

variants or chiefly British oedema

i-ˈdē-mə 

plural edemas or chiefly British oedemas also edemata

-mət-ə

or chiefly British oedemata

: an abnormal excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity

called also dropsy